Career guide to design engineering

Find out more at: aqa.org.uk/tech-levels Acknowledgements

Thanks to the employers who were happy for their staff to appear as case studies and who contributed to this guide.

autodesk.co.uk/ baesystems.com/home CREATEeducation.co.uk dyson.co.uk/ schneider-electric.com/ww/en/ spx.com ultimaker.com www.ied.org.uk

2 CAREER GUIDE TO DESIGN ENGINEERING

Contents

Introduction 4 How to use this guide 5 Design engineering explained 6 What skills do design need? 7 How do design engineers learn, progress and improve? 8 Where are you now? 12 Total scores 12 Case studies 14 Design engineering in the spotlight 20 Where are you now? 22 Further reading 24

3 Introduction

Welcome to the wonderful A career as a design world of design engineering is extremely rewarding This guide highlights the career opportunities The design community is diverse open to design engineering specialists. and dynamic and never dull. Design is an essential creative element of Many design engineers travel the engineering. It combines imagination and world during their career and work creativity with the knowledge and application of with people in diverse industries. technical and scientific skills. The Institution of Engineering Designers Learning about design plays an important role is delighted to support this career guide, in engineering and today’s design engineers and those who choose to enter the world do everything from conceiving and creating the of design engineering. We look forward to latest smartphones, to designing offshore drilling welcoming you into our design community. components. Libby Meyrick Phillip Bryant Chief Executive AQA Sector Strategist for Engineering Institution of Engineering Designers

Design engineering is an incredibly diverse and exciting field You’ll be surprised how much of the world is created by design engineers. They make people’s lives easier, safer, cleaner and more exciting. Whether you’re reading this guide via a laptop, leaflet, or a smartphone, all the decisions about its design, the material it’s made of, the way it’s been manufactured and how you interact with it, will have been made by designers. The design community work on every aspect of life, from healthcare to consumer goods, to sports and even waste disposal. Design engineers consider what the product has to do and look like, safety, environmental impact and how the item will be disposed of or recycled at the end of its life.

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How to use this guide

This guide will give you an understanding of the skills, progression routes and potential careers available through our Level 3 Tech-level Design Engineering qualification.

We’ve showcased the jobs and workplaces that a career in design engineering could take you. We’ve linked these case studies to the units and transferable skills within our qualification. We’ve also included questions and exercises to help you think about your career and subject choices, and whether design engineering is right for you. This guide will: •• dispel the myths about design engineering •• provide information on industry statistics, skills shortages and starting salaries •• highlight different routes into design engineering, including apprenticeships •• highlight the academic, technical and ‘employability’ skills used in design engineering •• highlight the people and diversity of roles and sectors in design engineering •• direct you to further reading and support •• help you reflect on your own strengths and interests and consider whether design engineering could be for you.

5 Design engineering explained What does a design engineer do? Where do In your opinion, which of the following are done by they work? design engineers? Industries include: •• work in 3D printing •• construction and building •• work on exhausts for fighter aircraft services •• work on technology which can control central heating remotely •• electronics and consumer •• talk to people around the world about problems with equipment goods •• make sure production lines are efficient. •• transport such as shipbuilding, aerospace, That was a trick question. All of the above railways and motor vehicles are done by design engineers. •• power generation Design engineering involves design, creativity and investigation •• research and development. into ways to improve the efficiency of existing products. The job requires design and technical skills and often appeals to creative people with a good eye for detail. It also suits individuals who enjoy art, design, maths, science and design and technology.

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What skills do design engineers need? Communication skills How much could At the start of a project, design engineers are given a ‘brief’ of what you earn? is required. These allow the engineer to negotiate in order to reach the best outcome for their employer. Starting salaries are between £20,000 and £27,000 a year. Experienced engineers can earn Problem-solving skills between £30,000 and £40,000. Senior design engineers can This is integral to the work of a design engineer and goes hand earn over £50,000 a year (2015 in hand with thinking creatively. Even when a design engineer guidelines), and with experience undertakes a project on their own, there’s likely to be an element you could progress to project of teamwork involved – for example, agreeing the best method manager, strategic planner or with the people who will be making and selling the product. consultant design engineer. Product engineers develop technical skills and knowledge linked The ‘Where are you now?’ to the area of design they’re working in. They must identify the section explains specific skills best materials to use, the most effective production methods and required for design engineering. anticipated costs. Technical reports are produced, and the product engineer must explain the information in the report and answer questions Want to know if required. more about being a Research design engineer? The ability to research and find out about alternative, Visit: up-to-date, options before starting work on a new product saves time and money. nationalcareersservice. direct.gov.uk brightknowledge.org Employment forecast: Sci & eng profs

1,780,000

1,750,000

1,720,000

1,690,000

1,660,000

1,630,000 edicted nos. employed

Pr 1,600,000 Employment forecast: 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 science and engineering Year professional jobs This graph shows the predicted numbers of people that will be working in this sector between now and 2020. National Careers Service website, 2015

7 CAREER GUIDE TO DESIGN ENGINEERING

How do design engineers learn, progress and improve?

Design engineers are highly Where do I start? What next? Progressing to skilled, versatile and creative. They develop their skills at work and training courses. Level 1 Training and education Professional They learn to use computer- registration aided design (CAD) and School/college/workplace Advanced/Higher Apprenticeship •• GCSE D – G •• available in a variety of industries including: advanced other techniques to produce manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, power, IT, Engineering Technician accurate plans and create •• Traineeships: For 16 – 23 year olds qualified construction, sustainable technologies below Level 3 (EngTech) or ICT new and updated products. •• combine workplace training with study Technician (ICT Tech) After GCSEs (particularly science •• typically 3 to 4 years and maths), you can progress to •• can include vocational qualifications or a degree design engineering by studying Level 2 •• approved by the a vocational course (such as Incorporated Engineer a Tech-level in Engineering) School/college/on-the-job training (IEng) and/or A-levels. Next, you •• Apprenticeship (Intermediate): Engineering, IT, Higher National Certificate (HNC)/Diploma (HND) might progress to an HNC/ Construction, Built Environment, Manufacturing HND or Foundation Degree in •• vocational higher education qualifications, often taken engineering product design, •• GCSE/IGCSE A* – C: Maths, Science (ideally whilst in employment Engineer industrial design or computer- triple science) •• can be taken at FE colleges and universities (CEng) (Useful subjects: D&T, ICT, Computing, aided design engineering. •• typically 1 to 2 years Engineering) The Engineering UK route map Foundation Degree (FD) shows ways to progress in to •• usually undertaken as a part-time qualification whilst in engineering roles after GCSEs. employment Level 3 •• typically 2 years •• Further learning to Batchelor’s level required for Eng Sixth form/college/on-the-job training registration. •• Advanced Apprenticeship: Engineering, IT, Construction, Built Environment, Manufacturing •• A-level: Maths, Physics University degrees (Useful subjects: Chemistry, Computing, D&T, •• in general engineering, a specific field of engineering, Further Maths) computer science, manufacturing or technology •• IB Diploma: Higher Level Maths, Physics •• accredited by the Engineering Council. (Chemistry – for chemical and biomedical engineering) Bachelor’s Degree (BEng) Master’s Degree (MEng) •• Tech-level qualifications: Design Engineering, •• 3 to 4 years •• 4 to 5 years Mechatronics or Power Network Engineering •• can include a year •• can include a year working in industry/a working in industry/a year abroad year abroad •• can be followed by a 1 year MSc to register as a Chartered Engineer.

8 9 Image courtesy of the Women in SET team at Sheffield Hallam University, ‘Celebrating National Women in Engineering Day’

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What’s your approach to problem-solving?

Some people like to contribute to team discussions and come up with solutions together, while others prefer to think about a problem on their own before seeing what other people have to offer and then adjust their thinking.

What’s your usual approach?

11 Where are you now?

Are your skills and interests suited to a career in design engineering? Successful design engineers possess the skills and capabilities shown opposite, how many do you have?

Think about examples of your own work and add a score from 1 to 5 for each area.

Design engineers need You have (examples) Score Communications Prepared and delivered presentations in english lessons.

Research and innovation Collected and analysed data and presented the results in science. Problem-solving Identified and solved problems in maths.

Teamwork Planned group assignments and team activities.

Design visualisation Used your ability to work accurately and imaginatively.

Advanced design for Adapted or invented things to make life simpler at home or manufacturing school. Design engineer project Been involved in (and enjoyed) enterprise activities or heard management about them from visiting speakers. Total score

Total scores

Over 30 Very well suited to design engineering. Over 20 A good chance you will enjoy design engineering. Over 10 You may need to find out more about design engineering. Less than 10 Maybe design engineering isn’t for you but you might be missing out if you don’t find out more.

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Design engineering skills Examples of how design engineers use these skills Communications Prepare a good presentation. Use language, vocabulary, tone and style suited to the complexity of the topic and the context. Use varied methods to engage the audience. Select appropriate formats for presenting information as a report. Select and use an appropriate style and tone to suit your audience. Organise material coherently, to suit the length, complexity and purpose of your technical report, proofread and re-draft documents. Research and innovation Design a research study. Conduct data collection and analysis. Present findings of the research and evaluate the research activities. Problem-solving Identify a problem and the tools and techniques that could be used to explore the problem. Implement the plan to investigate and solve the problem. Check if the problem has been resolved and review the approach to tackling problems. Team work Plan the work with others. Develop and maintain cooperative ways of working towards agreed objectives checking progress. Review working with others and agree ways of improving collaborative work in the future. Design visualisation Carry out design engineering concept development. Plan for the use of 3D parametric CAD systems in design engineering. Produce 3D parametric models. Apply rendering and animation to design engineering using CAD. Advanced design for Carry out design optimisation. manufacturing Use advanced manufacturing technology to improve product manufacture and concept development. Produce product designs for manufacture and assembly. Produce technical reports to communicate design information. Design engineer project Apply project management and design methodology to engineering management problems. Generate ideas related to designing new or appropriate solutions, systems, components or processes. Apply appropriate science and engineering tools to the analysis of unfamiliar problems. Coordinate a creative and innovative design solution with the effective use of appropriate design and project management methodologies. Understand the links between technical design and commercial risks. Design a component, system or process using appropriate design techniques and describe key elements of those processes. Use of appropriate computer based design and project management tools to solve problems.

13 Case studies Sioned Owen Senior Design Engineer, Schneider Electric Sioned works as a senior design engineer for Schneider Electric in Plymouth. Her interest in engineering began when she was eight. She would spend time with her father in his workshop and had her own toolkit. She was always interested in design, and studied art, maths and physics at A-level. At 15, she gained work experience at Camel Laird Shipyard, she familiarised herself with AutoCAD. While at school, Sioned attended a taster course on engineering, which involved a trip to Jaguar Land Rover.

“I remember being fascinated She spent four years in Glasgow “It’s vital you think about by the production lines, with a placement year in different end-users. If you the testing equipment and Trondheim, Norway where she understand another country’s how everything was so well specialised in Industrial Design. culture, that influences how you integrated. I knew then that make design considerations I wanted to design things Her university years provided for products to be sold that would have a positive plenty of opportunity to worldwide and it helps you impact on people’s lives.” design, make, test proof keep an open mind.” of principle, and realise Sioned found her perfect concepts into useful objects. At Dyson, Sioned started in university course at the new product development, then Glasgow School of Art After working for design moved to product innovation. in collaboration with the consultancy Design Reality She really enjoys coming up University of Glasgow’s Ltd, Sioned worked in Japan. with an idea, creating a model Engineering department. and putting it to the test.

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“I developed technology for Dyson products. I Sioned is thinking about her future and joined would take a piece of technology and see how it the design team at Schneider Electric. She is could be applied to different situations. This can professionally chartered as an engineer and be seen in many of Dyson’s products”. product designer. Sometimes specialist research teams gather data, She was nominated for the Karen Burt award and analyse the results and consider how to improve awarded the Kathbert Trophy by the IED in 2014. the design. Once those ideas are refined, Sioned and her team present them to the design directors “When I first thought about becoming chartered, I – she’s presented to James Dyson himself. wasn’t sure I needed it, but I understand the value now. It’s a third party assessment of skills you “I present ideas to help the company decide develop after university and helps you see you’re which products to market. When I’m putting moving to the next level.” a presentation together, I stick to key themes and messages. It also helps to ask a colleague Sioned enjoys her job and says the workforce to observe the room for me and give feedback is made of people of all ages. Everyone is on how the audience react to elements of my encouraged to put forward their ideas. presentation. It gets easier with practice.” “Our weekly meetings and research environments At Schneider Electric, it’s helpful that she can offer an opportunity for cross-collaboration sketch, although the designs can be far from and ‘accidental discovery’ which lead to more perfect at the ideas stage. She thinks design innovative products. I’m excited about working engineers need to think about commercial risks on the next generation of smart products for and usability versus design issues. There’s no Schneider Electric”. point increasing power for the performance of a product if it becomes too noisy to use. Sioned’s journey so far: Alongside technical ability, Sioned feels being a good team member is essential.

“It’s really important we keep each other up-to- schneider-electric.com/ww/en/ date with what we’re working on – we have to mi-genie.co.uk/ share our work and document everything clearly. Weekly meetings give us a chance to make an dyson.co.uk/ impression on colleagues.” jamesdysonfoundation.co.uk/ gsa.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-degrees/product- design-engineering/ www.ied.org.uk

What do research and innovation mean to you? Think about a time you’ve felt proud of research you’ve done. Reflect on what aspects were positive and consider why. Think about when you came up with ideas and thought creatively, and consider what may have contributed to this.

Image courtesy of Create Education

15 Mike Westlake UK and Ireland Manager, Autodesk Mike Westlake is UK and Ireland Manager for Autodesk, a multinational corporation that makes software for the architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, media and entertainment industries. He is responsible for Autodesk’s education programmes in the UK and Ireland.

I took A-levels but struggled to Then I entered into the The following year I represented adapt to the self-learning model WorldSkills competition. I was the UK at the WorldSkills at college. I wasn’t taught the successful at the regional level international competition in relevance of learning for the and attended the WorldSkills Japan. I was pitted against real world. I started looking for national final. I wasn’t confident, the top design engineers in alternative learning. My mum but I won the national final the world. It was an amazing mentioned an apprenticeship at and became the best young experience that shaped my the local nuclear power station. design engineer in the country. career. I felt confident in my ability and took a job as a I applied and embarked design engineer that allowed on a role as a multi-skilled “My career has been me to travel the world designing engineering apprentice. At so rewarding that I’ve equipment for international food college I grew to understand and pharmaceutical companies. the value of learning and how gone full circle and it can change your life. A am now in education. Mike says he uses problem- teacher sparked my interest I try to encourage solving skills in all aspects of his in computer aided design. I work and has tackled unusual loved the freedom of design others to choose problems during his career. paired with the accuracy and design engineering as He created a four metre high exact application of maths a career path. With frame to support equipment and science, and started the current skills for a food manufacturer. It had taking evening classes to shortage in the UK, to be earthquake resistant develop my skills further. because it was going to Chile. now is the perfect time to get into it.” autodesk.co.uk/

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Pav Bhogal Apprentice, BAE Systems Pav has always been interested in aerodynamics and design. After completing his A-levels Pav joined BAE Systems as an apprentice. His first year was spent at a local training centre where he gained a BTEC Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering. Following this, Pav worked at BAE Systems in manufacturing.

His apprenticeship involved At 18, BAE Systems selected “Being involved with WorldSkills different placements including Pav to the WorldSkills has been a massive confidence one in ‘concept demonstration’. ‘Vocational Olympics’ project booster with my soft skills.” He worked with up and coming which involved a series of designs and future technology. challenges using Autodesk Teamwork and communication Apprentices in BAE Systems Inventor at a major event with skills are absolutely vital in select their placements, 10,000 people. Pav’s job. depending on their interests. “I’m working on unmanned As Pav says, “I moved up to “WorldSkills involved a brief, with drawings and instructions air vehicle air intakes and Preston because I love aircraft exhausts. Using computers, – the first time a I got to work – normally related to an engine. We had to reproduce this in the work is around figuring out on a Typhoon Eurofighter was the maths which will lead to pretty cool.” CAD and assemble it on screen and animate it within a tight best performance. We produce Apprentices are often 16 or 17 time frame.” technical reports including when they join the company requirements for the vehicles and from a very young age Having had a great experience which goes to the designer.” they are trusted with expensive with WorldSkills, Pav wanted to compete again with younger Having already gained an HND equipment. Pav feels that he in Aeronautical Engineering matured very quickly, and is people in the company. He got other entrants together and during his apprenticeship, BAE supported with his professional Systems is now sponsoring and personal development. persuaded company directors to build a new apprentice team Pav to study towards a BEng in “At the end of every placement whom Pav and his colleagues Mechanical Engineering. He’s we presented our experiences then mentored. on track to enjoy a life-long and learnings to our managers. rewarding career. We had an open invitation to baesystems.com/home talk about our future.” worldskills.org/

17 Kellie McGrevey Aftermarket Engineer, SPX Flow Technology Kellie was one of two girls studying engineering in her group of 123 at college. Having enjoyed maths and physics at school, Kellie’s teacher encouraged her to apply for an engineering apprenticeship and after school, she joined injection mouldings company, Rosti. Her first year was at East Kilbride Training Association, she continued her education at New College Lanarkshire. As a little girl, Kellie was always interested in how things worked and loved the idea of becoming a mechanic, but her experience as an apprentice was the first time she wore a set of overalls. At Rosti, she worked in milling, turning and tools maintenance, before moving to a design role.

“I loved the tool room, but Dealing with customers across taking design from a concept to the world can pose difficulties “I am regularly in touch an actual tool was amazing.” with language barriers and with colleagues in our cultural differences, Kellie is Kellie has an HNC in learning how clear, accurate Middle East office and Mechanical Engineering, a communication develops a am building strong second HNC in CAD and shared understanding. Kellie working relationships.” Design, a Lean Engineering hopes to travel to build new qualification, and is about markets for the company’s to enrol at night school on a products. In her early 20s, Kellie has BEng Degree in Engineering responsibility for making her Management. Kellie works in a small team own decisions at work, and this and enjoys the working has developed her confidence. She works at SPX Flow environment. Her role Technology as an aftermarket involves collecting data and Kellie is looking forward to engineer and has developed a identifying problems identified starting her undergraduate new area of expertise relating by customers which can be studies at the University of to pumps, parts and repairs. referred to other colleagues. the West of Scotland and Kellie’s role brings her into plans to become a Chartered contact with customers from “We are a very close-knit Mechanical Engineer in the across the globe, in sectors team and support each other future. as diverse as oil and gas, to with our different projects. We food. She enjoys the variety understand what each other is spx.com and this new role is building doing and know when we need her communications skills and to help each other out.” networks.

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What kind of team player are you? •• Do you prefer working on your own? •• Are you happy taking responsibility whilst helping others? •• What role might you play in supporting your team? •• What are your strengths and weaknesses regarding working in a team?

What is your communication style? Think about a time you had to communicate complex information in a presentation and/or written form. •• What tools and techniques did you use? •• What worked well? •• What could you have done differently? •• How did you know your intended audience understood the information you were trying to communicate? •• What are your strengths and weaknesses regarding working in a team? Read the case studies again and see how they emphasise the importance of clear communication and excellent interpersonal skills.

19 Design engineering in the spotlight Design visualisation Paul Croft, Ultimaker (GB) Director of Ultimaker (GB) and founder of the exciting CREATE Education Project, Paul’s engineering career began in Chorley, Lancashire. Paul and school friend Alex spent many hours ‘putting the world to rights’ and knew they wanted to use their entrepreneurial skills in a fast-paced environment.

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After studying A-level Physics, the challenges they’d faced thinking’ to break things down, French, Business and General in the past and what would examine individual components, Studies, Paul headed to Hull work for them. We discovered look for solutions and test University where he gained they wanted affordability, different hypotheses.” a 2:1 Honours Degree in reliability, the confidence to International Management. use technology to maximise Paul is very clear about the its potential and link it to opportunities for young people As the ‘odd-one-out’ in a family curriculum content, and an with design and engineering of teachers, Paul decided understanding about where 3D skills. setting up a business was the printing could be used in job “3D printing or ‘additive only way to go. Chance led Alex opportunities. Teachers also and Paul to discover a robot manufacturing’ is such an needed to know how to get exciting world to work in, with figurine created by an Ultimaker support in an emergency.” Desktop 3D printer. The friends new developments happening realised this exciting innovation Paul and Alex developed and all the time. would engage young people launched CREATE Education Technology allows you to scan and inspire creativity and Project in February 2014. an object, then export its digital innovation. It’s already ‘gone global’. It coordinates for printing in 3D. helps schools use 3D printing They approached Ultimaker HQ At the 2014 Royal Institution technology to stimulate Christmas Lecture the audience in the Netherlands and secured creativity and excitement across exclusive distribution rights for witnessed how a scan of a the curriculum, particularly young girl’s face could be the 3D printer in the UK and in science, technology, Ireland. replicated by a 3D printer live – engineering and maths. exciting stuff. “We wanted to give people To provide support, they access to this technology It’s great to be involved in developed CREATE Education an industry that’s continually and stimulate their creative regional hubs which share best tendencies.” learning and growing. The UK’s practice. leading the charge on aspects Paul realised if their venture was Paul emphasises the need for of 3D printing and there will be to work, they needed to develop a broad range of transferable good jobs in this field.” the right approach. skills and an aptitude for Ultimaker GB has recruited “We didn’t want to throw ‘design thinking’ in this sector. three students with engineering technology at schools and let “There’s a great deal of BTEC qualifications from a local them find their own way. There teamwork in this field. People in college. As more companies are too many unused laptops this sector use problem-solving, embrace 3D printing and new and iPads in our classrooms, analytical skills and ‘design technology, people with design so we asked teachers about thinking and engineering skills will find themselves with lots of opportunitie. ultimaker.com CREATEeducation.co.uk youmagine.com

21 Where are you now?

Taking stock Now that you know more about design engineering, think about your skills, experience and aptitudes again. Still interested? Use the table on page 12 as a reminder of how you rated yourself before reading the case studies. Use the space below if you’d like to add any new information eg “I didn’t realise design engineers did....”

In the space, summarise anything you’d like to know more about:

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Could design engineering be for you? Having thought about your skills, knowledge and experience, in the space below, list what you’re going to do (eg find out more about design engineering; research different routes to suit your learning style; talk to someone about possible options for study and work; arrange work experience; show this guide to a teacher/tutor/career’s adviser/parent or family member/friend). I’m going to:

23 Further reading

AQA aqa.org.uk/ Institution of Engineering Designers www.ied.org.uk The Institution of Engineering and Technology theiet.org Royal Academy of Engineering raeng.org.uk/ Engineering Council engc.org.uk/ Tomorrow’s Engineers tomorrowsengineers.org.uk SEMTA – Engineering Skills for the Future semta.org.uk WISE Campaign wisecampaign.org.uk Women in Science, Engineering and Technology wiset.org.uk Women’s Engineering Society wes.org.uk/ Future Morph futuremorph.org/ I’m an engineer, get me out of here imanengineer.org.uk/ Maths Careers mathscareers.org.uk/ National Apprenticeships Service apprenticeships.gov.uk/ National Careers Service nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/ planning/jobprofiles/Pages/DesignEngineer.aspx Just Engineers justengineers.net/ The Engineer theengineer.co.uk/ The IET theiet.org/index.cfm?origin=foot-vert Research Councils UK (case studies) rcuk.ac.uk/skills/percase/ Research Councils UK (case study booklets) rcuk.ac.uk/skills/percase/booklets/ iCould icould.com/ CareersBox careersbox.co.uk/

Are you thinking about becoming a design engineer? To discover our engineering qualifications visit: aqa.org.uk/engineeringtech-levels

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January 2016